We got rat snakes in mating time Wildlife & Reptile Rescue Video.
Like 3 Dislike 0 Published on 11 Sep 2019
DarSnake:- 7878335353
Scientific Name:-Ptyas mucosa
Regional Names:-
Kannada:-ಕೇರೆ ಹಾವು (kEre hAvu)
Hindi:-Dhaman, Ghoda-Pachad, Ashadhia
Marathi:-Dhaman
English:-Oriental Rat Snake
Gujarati:-ધામણ
Venom Type:-
N/A
Family:-
Colubridae
Characteristics for identification:
Very long body with dark color patterns on the whole dorsal surface are its general identification features. Apart from these it can be identifies precisely by checking posterior body reticulated with black color net like markings. Traditionally people differentiate between Cobra and Rat Snake by accepting Rat Snake to be a snake having head broader than neck or neck thinner than mid body.
Habitat:-
Remain hidden in dark and silent places like rat holes, termite mounds, wood caves, under rocks or any narrow and dark place. Distributed in variety of forests including rainforest, scrub lands, semi-desert, dry, moist and mixed deciduous forests, grasslands, mangroves, wetlands etc. Lives in almost all kinds of habitat due to its tendency to survive in tough conditions; this includes urban areas, dense & open forest, hills & plains, agricultural lands etc. Prefers wet surroundings during summer (shows semi aquatic behavior few times), while dry during monsoon.
Natural History:-
Rat Snake is a diurnal species which shows both arboreal and terrestrial activity depending upon foraging and resting needs. Behavior fast, alert and very quick to respond. On threatening it creeps away from enemy and tries to hide in dark and narrow places like holes, cracks, dense bushes etc. In cornered position it laterally inflates forebody and growls. Can bite on further disturbance. Mating season of Rat Snake begins from winters and extends to start of monsoon. This begins with breeding male combats near water bodies. Combat is done by mutual winding of male bodies to make helix of posterior half and raised forebody where they try to show dominance over each other. After showing dominance and winning, the male performs mating ritual which is done in silent places away from human disturbance. Female lays upto 35 eggs in silent and dark places which are usually in caves, large mounds, between rocks and wood piles. Egg guarding and incubation is done by female till hatching. The period of incubation is around 60-80 days depending upon weather. Most of the new born seen during whole of monsoon and starting of winters.
Diet:-
Feeds on a variety of prey mostly on rodents and toads; also feeds upon birds, small mammals, other snakes, all kind of lizards, eggs etc.
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Real life experience of a professional reptile rescuer.
Helping people from trespass reptiles within human habitat, such as Snakes, Lizards etc and safely release them into their natural habitats
Stop! Do NOT attempt to handle a live reptile. They can all inflict severe injuries to humans, perhaps life threatening too.
Kindly contact your local animal rescue center for help.